Helicopter picnics in Bhutan

“I had been to Bhutan before and thought I knew the country reasonably well. I was completely wrong. This journey took us into homes, workshops and conversations I would never have known how to access. It felt less like sightseeing and more like being invited in.”

“The afternoon with the Mongpa community was extraordinary. We sat listening to stories about their beliefs and history, watched the weaving and shared lunch together. Nothing felt performed for us. It was one of those rare days when you realise how little you knew before you arrived.”

“I loved that the journey never felt like we were ticking off attractions. We met historians, monks, artisans and conservationists, and every conversation added another layer to what we were seeing. By the end I understood Bhutan in a completely different way.”

“The private camp near Royal Manas was a highlight, but what I remember most are the people. Sitting with a weaver in her home, talking with monks, meeting the family at Ugyen Choling. There was a sense throughout the trip that doors were being opened for us that normally remain closed.”